EPL: Liverpool outclasses Arsenal

London: Liverpool outclassed Arsenal from start to finish in a 3-0 win in the Premier League with a brace for substitute Diogo Jota and a nutmeg from Mohamed Salah to revive the team’s hopes for a top four spot.

Jota broke the deadlock in the 64th minute after meeting a trademark cross from right back Trent Alexander-Arnold to head past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Four minutes later, Salah cleverly played the ball through Leno’s legs as he squatted down to try to block the shot.
Jota got his second and the team’s third in the 82nd with a fine close-range finish. The Portuguese was only on the field for three minutes before scoring his first.

It was a morale-boosting win for Liverpool and a third successive clean sheet in all competitions, lifting last season’s champion up to fifth place with 49 points. That’s just two points behind Chelsea, which is letting its grip on fourth place slip after the London team lost 5-2 to West Bromwich Albion in the early kickoff.

Jota said Liverpool is aiming to win its remaining matches to achieve a place in the Champions League. Liverpool was unlucky to go into halftime with the score still at 0-0 after the visitors produced an attacking spectacle that left Arsenal struggling and chasing the game.

The Reds came forward in waves as Arsenal sat back, with Liverpool frequently creating clear-cut chances. The biggest opportunity came deep in the first half. A cross from Alexander-Arnold found stand-in captain James Milner completely unmarked just inside the area. But Milner’s shot flashed just wide of the post in the 35th minute.

Roberto Firmino also struck two long-range shots in the first half that went very close. Arsenal left back Kieran Tierney came off just before halftime with what appeared to be a knee problem after a challenge with Milner. The Scot was able to walk off unaided.